A prolific burglar broke into a community cafe run by people with learning disabilities and stole charity boxes for a Cardiff hospice and the air ambulance.

Aaron Newbury – who had 50 previous offences on his record – also broke into a leisure centre, pet shop, hair salon, and someone’s home in order to fund his drug addiction.

Speaking at Newport Crown Court his counsel Cora Sorensen said: “He is thoroughly ashamed to have stooped so low as to be stealing from charity boxes.”

The court heard the first burglary happened at Fairwater Leisure Centre on May 31. Gareth James, prosecuting, said manager Katrina Jackson locked up the previous night and received a call from a security company at around 6.20am saying the alarm had been activated.

She found a window had been smashed which cost the local authority £250 to repair. There was also damage to a vending machine.

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Prosecutors said Julie Raymond went in to set up the community café at St Luke’s Church in Canton early on June 13 and found three charity boxes were missing.

The cafe, which is run by the Innovate Trust, aims to help people with learning disabilities build confidence, skills, and experience.

Ms Raymond found a window broken and the fire door left wide open. She said lockers used by the trainees were broken after being forced open.

In a victim personal statement she said everyone was “shocked” when they heard about the burglary and they were left feeling vulnerable and unsafe.

Mr James said: “She cannot believe someone would stoop so low as to break into a café run by people with learning disabilities and steal from charity boxes.”

Aaron Newbury (Image: Facebook)

Two days later Newbury broke into a home on Fonmon Crescent in Ely and stole items including cameras, cash, and jewellery.

Victim Stephen Driscoll was out when his neighbour rang him at around 10.30am on June 15 and told him he had seen someone walking away from his property with a bag. Mr James said: “He got back and found his home had been broken into.”

The court heard the defendant smashed the back door using a shovel before emptying drawers, pulling cushions off the sofa, and searching through cupboards.

Mr Driscoll described his home as “ransacked” and said many of the stolen items had belonged to late family member. He added: “It is disgusting and unfair.”

Newbury stole an antique silver pocket watch that had belonged to the victim’s grandfather as well as a set of his mother’s gold and pearl earrings. The prosecutor said: “Clearly the items had great sentimental value.”

Mr Driscoll had been collecting for Tenovus Cancer Care, who supported his father, and the defendant stole a charity bucket containing between £300 and £500.

Less than a month later, on July 11, he broke into Aquapets in Merthyr Road in Whitchurch , causing £500 worth of damage.